(From Santiago, Chile) Here is a unique opportunity for collectors and lovers of art. memorabilia politics: the Lexus LS600H year 2010, presidential order of the former Chilean president Sebastian Piñerais for sale on Facebook Marketplace, for $24.9 million Chilean pesos (USD 25 thousand).
“Car with presidential history,” reads the publication of this sedan which, apparently, has a lot to tell. According to the notice, today it has more than 200 thousand kilometers routes and its value is surely due to its historical weight, since a unit of those characteristics is today among the $10 and $15 million (USD 10 to 15 thousand). The notice was published a few weeks after the tragic death of the former president, last February, when the helicopter he was piloting crashed.
From the first days of acquiring this car high end was under the eye of public scrutiny. The unit arrived at La Moneda in 2010, once Piñera came to power, to replace the Peugeot 607 used by her predecessor in power, Michelle Bachelet.
The incoming government had emphasized fiscal austerity, after the earthquake that hit the country in February of that year. And to avoid the critics that a purchase of these characteristics could generate, Toyota Chile gave the vehicle on loan to the Presidency, with the intention of positioning it in the Chilean market. Point for Piñera, because under that formula the State did not disburse a single weight.
Lexus manager Paul Cheetham He said at that time that the President really liked the sedan. “They tell me that they are happy with the car and, in addition, they value the fact that it does not pollute like a combustion car,” he stated.
At the end of his first government, Piñera bought it for his personal use and he continued to travel in it, turning it into his “gift” or favorite vehicle.
In 2018, at the beginning of its second term, La Moneda processed its renewal for another Lexus with similar characteristics, an LS500, at that time for a value that was around $70 million (USD 72 thousand).
The purchase generated again controversy, Piñera said he was unaware of the process and ordered to desist from purchasing the vehicle. And to avoid questions, she pointed out that she would continue using her usual Lexus, the same one that is for sale today.
In June 2018, the controversy was finally settled under the same modality as in 2010, but this time through a loan agreement with Hyundai, which provided a car from its high-end line, a Genesis G90whose value reached $43 million (USD 44 thousand) around then.
That same 2018, the Presidency finally acquired a Chevrolet Suburbana large-volume vehicle with characteristics similar to those usually used by the president of the United States, Donald Trump.
Currently, and under the same logic, the President Boric travels in a procession of trucks Chevrolet Tahoeacquired in 2021 by Carabineros for the work of the Presidential Escort Group.
Piñera’s beloved Lexus, meanwhile, was purchased at the end of 2018 by his brother Pablo Pineraa renowned economist who even at the beginning of that same year was appointed Chilean ambassador to Argentinabut only days later he withdrew from the nomination due to criticism over his relationship with the President.
Finally, the car left the Piñera family a month and a half before of the death of the former president, in December past. This is how it ended up published in Facebook weeks after the tragic accident.
Contacted by Infobae, Yerko Buratovichits current owner of Argentine nationality, confirmed the origin of the vehicle and pointed out that after nine weeks of publication, the Lexus is still found. available. In his Marketplace profile it is possible to see that he has at least nine other vehicles for sale.
“I have always been a nut, I had my first car in Buenos Aires when I was 15, it was a Fiat 600. And I dedicate myself to that, I buy and sell vehicles. So when the opportunity arose to buy this car, I didn’t think twice. I bought it in December, before death of Piñera, and when I went to see him I found out who he was, when I took out the Certificate of Current Annotations and Fines. There it appears that it belonged to Sebastián Piñera for four years, from there it passed to his brother, José, and then it passed to us. I acquired it like any other guy, because this car was very expensive in Europe at the time. So, I bought it to keep, but then when Sebastian happened, I said well, maybe…”
-What characteristics does it have?
I love the car, it is impeccable. I went to Mendoza at the end of the year for a walk and it works perfectly, it is a beast with very good consumption. It even has rear massagers, it is made to be driven by a driver rather than by the owner.
-Why did you decide to publish it?
-And, because it took on a historical value that perhaps I am not going to value it as much by occupying it and deteriorating it with time and use.
-Are there many interested parties?
-Hundreds, because it is very easy to ask if it is available in the application. They have also made practical jokes on me, if it comes with the helicopter and things like that. Very resentful people.
